DNA and protein synthesis in normal and transformed lymphocytes exposed to abrin.

The dose dependent effects of abrin, a toxic D-galactose binding plant lectin, on 3H-TdR and 14C-leucine uptake are studied in normal and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) transformed lymphocyte cultures. Results show that while abrin is highly toxic to both the DNA and protein synthesis in EBV lymphocytes, some toxicity to the normal cells is also seen. It is postulated that lymphocyte DNA synthesis is affected by ribosomal shutdown induced by the abrin.